Ending the uncertainty over the alliance issue, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam founder Vijayakant on Saturday categorically appealed to the people to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, who, he said, “is the only force who can wipe out corruption”. Speaking from his campaign vehicle at the bus stand in Arcot, which comes under the Arakkonam Lok Sabha constituency, Mr.Vijayakant said that it was the DMDK which fired the first salvo against corruption by conducting an anti-corruption conference in Ulundurpet. “We want India to become a strong nation. It is possible only if corruption is wiped out,” he said.
Coming back to his campaign theme, he said that he has seen the development of Gujarat over the years thanks to the leadership of Mr. Modi. Mr. Vijayakant said that the DMDK allied with a regional party in the 2006 Assembly elections in the hope that it would give a good administration aimed at the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. There is so much poverty in Tamil Nadu.
“They have eliminated only their poverty, and have become prosperous. They have grown because of corruption. They became corrupt because of your silence”, he said, hastening to add that he was not instigating the people.
The DMDK leader said that the previous BJP regime led by Atal Behari Vajpayee brought the golden quadrilateral national highways in the country.
Such achievements have to be repeated. “That is why I have come to seek your votes for the alliance candidates. I will support whoever contests on behalf of the alliance in Arakkonam constituency”, he said, indicating the possibility of the DMDK giving up its claim for the Arakkonam seat in the alliance in favour of the Pattali Makkal Katchi. Assailing the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government for opposing the establishment of Lok Ayuktha in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Vijayakant said that the government was opposing it since the establishment of Lok Ayuktha would ensure the speedy disposal of the assets case and not facilitate any attempt to drag the case which “they are doing now”.
